On-chip voltage supply scheme with automatic transition into low-power mode of MSP430

Abstract

An integrated electronic device includes circuitry for providing a system supply voltage from a primary power supply. The circuitry has a high power (HP) stage coupled to the primary power supply and having an output node coupled to a supply system node for providing a HP system supply voltage level and a HP output current such that the HP stage is configured to be active in a full power mode, and a low power (LP) stage coupled to the primary power supply and to the supply system node through a voltage follower for providing a LP supply voltage level and an LP output current such that the LP stage is configured to be active in a low power mode. The HP system supply voltage level is greater than the LP system supply voltage level and the voltage follower of the LP stage is adapted to switch off in response to a voltage level at the supply system node becoming greater than the HP system supply voltage level and to switch on in response to the voltage level at the supply system node becoming lower than the HP system supply voltage level.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention generally relates to an integrated electronic device including circuitry for providing a system supply voltage from a primary power supply. More particularly, the present invention relates to circuitry having a high power stage and a low power stage for supplying a voltage to a microcontroller in both high power and low power modes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Most of today's electronic devices comprise microcontrollers for controlling the circuitry in such devices and storing data. Particularly in portable devices, minimizing power consumption is of the utmost importance, since the batteries used for the power supplies are required to have very long lives of several years. In order to save power, microcontrollers are configured to have a low power mode when the device needs only limited power or is inactive. However, in the low power mode, it is still required to save and retain data. For data retention and operation in many mic...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an integrated electronic device with a simplified operating mode control and seamless transition between different power modes. The device includes a primary power source, a HP stage, and a low power stage. The HP stage is a voltage regulator that provides a higher system supply voltage level and higher output current, while the low power stage is a voltage reference with a very low static current consumption. The low power stage automatically takes over when the high power stage is switched off. The device also includes a power on reset stage for resetting the system supply voltage. The method of providing a system supply voltage involves providing a LP system supply voltage level in a low power mode, providing a HP system supply voltage level in a full power mode, disabling the LP stage in response to the HP stage driving the system supply voltage, and automatically enabling the LP stage when the system supply voltage is lower than the LP system supply voltage level. The technical effects of the invention include a simplified operating mode control, seamless transition between different power modes, and a low power implementation.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, since there is only one startup when the system is powered on, a very low power implementation is possible.

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